SSR

[Guest guest]

The current debate over Piper has raised some important issues regarding SSR and

freedom to pursue our profession;

1) Fiona Burns writes ''we will all be kept in the dark upntil it is too late'.

This is happening as we speak. I have been trying to get information from both

the NIMH and the EHPA with regard to various aspects of SSR. The response (if

one can call it that) at every turn has been to sidestep, to ignore, and to gag.

2) Several people have made mention of the cost of running an effective

lobbying/PR campaign. The EHPA claim in their letterhead to 'Represent

Professional Herbalists throughout Europe'. Their financial projection for the

year 2003 is for an income of £279,765.00 (although 65% of this will disappear

in emoluments and wages!). The EHPA are lamentably failing to provide any

effective representation, preferring insterad to relentlesly and single mindedly

pursue SSR, in spite of increasing disenchantment with the whole process.

3) SSR has become arguably the most divisive issue which professional herbalists

have ever encountered. It is sheer folly and stupidity to continue on this

course under these circumstances. Openness, clarity, accountability and

communication are terms which are bandied about glibly; however, the reality is

somewhat different. Duplicity and a distinct lack of these vitrtues is the

actuality of the situation.

4) We may be small in number but this does not mean we cannot ask awkward

questions to those who seek to control us. Generally, the public are sympathetic

to our profession (the myth that they are not being perpetrated by those wishing

to force SSR upon us). As has been already pointed out, they could be our most

important and influential ally if their weight of opinion is encouraged and

channelled correctly.

5) If one wished to come up with the most controversial, expensive, potentially

restrictive, divisive, bureaucratic, time consuming and unwieldy way to reach a

legal definition of a herbalist then it is unlikely that SSR and its current

format could be bettered. There seems to be an opinion in some quarters that

those opposing SSR do not wish to see any change to the status quo. Nothing is

further from the truth.It is not the legal recognition per se which is the

problem, but the way it is being sought/imposed.

6) Via the EHPA we are relentlesly and inexorably being sucked into the

political machine. Time is running out in this regard with the pace at which SSR

is being pushed along. However, cracks are appearing; several aspects of the

EHPA and its activities are coming under scrutiny due to dissatisfaction by its

members (ie us as individual herbalists). I hope that common sense will prevail

in this matter, but only if those with misgivings become actively involved now.

It will be of no use whatsoever to rue the day that SSR was introduced if no

action is taken at this point. If you want information, write to your member

organisation/EHPA and ask for it. If you are not happy with any aspect, write to

the EHPA/your member organisation/Prof Pitillo and tell them.

With best regards,

Tim Lane.